SHARON Inmate alleges unkept promises in suit against police sergeant

Linda Karlen is serving a 15-year prison sentence for involvement in a murder.
SHARON, Pa. -- Linda Karlen, serving a 15-year prison sentence for her involvement in the 1988 murder of a man near Akron, Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against an Akron police sergeant, saying he promised to marry her.
The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported today that Karlen filed the suit seeking $2.5 million in damages from Sgt. Sean Matheny.
Matheny recently returned to work after a 60-day suspension without pay for getting too personal with Karlen as part of an investigation he was conducting in connection with the murder, according to the newspaper.
The lawsuit alleges Matheny told Karlen he was divorced, offered to send her money, and at one point proposed marriage and said he would help her get out of prison.
Matheny's attorney said his client denies Karlen's accusations, the Plain Dealer reported.
Second sentence
Karlen, 50, formerly of Sharon and Greenville, will complete her conspiracy to commit kidnapping sentence in January 2005. Once released by Ohio, she must return to Pennsylvania to begin a five- to 10-year sentence on an arson charge. She pleaded guilty to the 1988 arson of a Greenville furniture store in which she was a partner.
The murder of Roger Pratt of Munhall, Pa., was arranged to prevent him from telling police what he knew about the arson and other crimes in Greenville where he had been a college student, authorities said.